No permit for pussy pockets

The “pussy pockets” sold at the Noosh food cart proved a popular item during the Women’s March on Madison on Jan. 21. Owner Laila Borokhim says she sold out of several varieties of the yemenite puff pastries usually called malawiches.

“We renamed them the pussy pockets for that day, and yeah, people definitely liked them,” says Borokhim, who also owns the Persian restaurant Layla’s on South Butler. “We also sold out of baklava. All the sales of those were donated to Planned Parenthood.”

The Noosh cart was parked at the top of State Street where tens of thousands of marchers converged on the Square. The menu certainly fit the theme of the rally, where pink “pussy hats” were abundant. But technically, Noosh was operating without a Mall/Concourse permit required to sell food cart fare on the Square.

“We are aware of the situation and are following up with them,” says Meghan Blake-Horst, the city’s new street vending coordinator. “We try to educate first and provide citations last. There’s a scale we like to move through including warnings.”

“Am I in trouble?” laughs Borokhim, who was unaware — until informed by Isthmus — that she needed more than a basic street vending permit to sell in that location during the march.

“My food cart friends didn’t think it would be a problem since I wasn’t taking up [another food cart’s] spot,” says Borokhim. “This was a one-time thing. The whole food cart system is very confusing. Last thing I want is to become involved in some sort of food cart scandal.”

Citations for violating food cart ordinances range from $30 to $300. The Vending Oversight Committee also has the discretion to revoke permits.